I have faith in all of you that you’ve fully nailed your finals! High five! Now that finals week has come to a well-welcomed end, we can finally relax from all that cramming and caffeine overload…at least for a little bit.Â
Looking back at my first semester as a full-time college student, I can see that I had many ups and downs (as most freshmen do). Wondering how you keep up the good work while also bettering our bad habits? Here are five of my best tips for making spring semester even better than fall!Â
1. Start fresh with new supplies
I don’t know about you, but nothing gets me more hype than brand new school supplies. New notebooks, pens and planners are just the icing on the cake for a brand new semester. These will help you start fresh and not have a different class’s notes mixed in with the new ones.Â
2. Make a schedule
One thing that made me stressed during my fall semester is that I didn’t have a set schedule for things that I needed to do. I really prefer scheduling my days out, so I will definitely have a make a schedule for the spring semester. For example, I have my class schedule, but now I need to schedule times for homework, working out and eating. Trust me, having a set schedule for things will make your life so much simpler.Â
3. Drop that class
There is always going to be that one class you just hate. If you are lucky, it isn’t one for your major. If it is, you might just have to keep your head up and push forward. But if it’s an elective class and you can’t stand to be in there anymore, then don’t be afraid to drop it! If you are taking enough credits to still remain a full-time student then go ahead.
4. Take care of your mental healthÂ
I have dealt with mental health issues for the past 4 years. I’ve had it under control for the most part, but college put another obstacle in my path. There was a point during the fall semester where I was completely out of it. My anxieties took me over, and I simply let them. Not only did my grades start to suffer, but so did I. I wasn’t putting my mental health first which can lead anyone down a slippery slope. Luckily, I snapped out of it, talked to my therapist and got the help and reassurance I needed. For the spring semester, I am making me my first priority and so should you! There are many on-campus and online resources that are there to help you with your struggles. Don’t be afraid to reach out!
5. Eliminate bad influences
Whether it’s alcohol, drugs or a bad relationship, it is time to let it go. It’s fine to have some fun from time to time, but if you’ve found yourself abusing anything or stuck around bad people, this spring semester is the time to make a change. You don’t have to see those people anymore; you don’t have to go out every weekend. Spring and the new year is a time to rebuild and reflect. My suggestion is to do whats best for you.Â
Whatever happens, lets make this spring semester the best one yet! Good Luck!